Friends of Panthertown

Panthertown Valley, often referred to as the Yosemite of the East, lies on the eastern continental divide in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. With almost 30 miles of designated trails in this 6,300 acre backcountry area in the Nantahala National Forest visitors can enjoy deep gorges and broad valleys, mountain bogs and granitic rock domes, tranquil creeks and plunging waterfalls while hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding.

Camping is permitted in Panthertown, but groups are limited to no more than 12 people per site. Hikers are free to explore the many trails and footpaths in Panthertown. Mountain bikers and equestrians are asked to please follow appropriate trail designations.

Fishing is managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission under the “Wild Trout Waters, catch and release, single hook, artificial lures only” classification and a valid NC fishing license is required. Panthertown is designated as a bear sanctuary.

Forest Service prohibits ALL COMMERCIAL horse back riding trips or mountain bike outfitter/guides in Panthertown Valley. No commercial horse back or mountain biking trips are permitted.

Panthertown Valley is one of the most spectacular areas in the southeast with cascading waterfalls, trout streams, panoramic views, sheer granite cliffs, the headwaters of the Tuckaseegee River and the east fork of Little Tennessee River, and biologically diverse habitats for wildlife and rare plant species. Because of its outstanding geologic formations, forests, streams and native plant life, Panthertown is designated as a Blue Ridge National Heritage Site and by The Wilderness Society as a North Carolina Mountain Treasure Area. About 30 miles of back-country trails in Panthertown Valley are open to hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers.

A Brief History of Panthertown:

Panthertown Valley has changed “ownership” many times throughout its history. The valley was logged in the 1920’s – 1930’s by Moltz Lumber Company, and then sold to Liberty Properties who had plans to convert the valley into a resort. The Blue Ridge Parkway also had plans for a route through the valley. When those plans fell through, Duke Power Company purchased the land in order to construct a large transmission line spanning the valley’s width. In 1989, the North Carolina Chapter of the Nature Conservancy purchased all but Duke’s right-of-way for $8 million as an addition to Nantahala National Forest. Today Panthertown is managed by the U.S. Forest Service with funding and volunteers provided by Friends of Panthertown.

A Brief History of Friends of Panthertown:

Due to budget cuts in recent years, the U.S. Forest Service lacks sufficient funding or personnel to provide more than minimal levels of maintenance; therefore, the Friends of Panthertown are providing funding and volunteers for trail maintenance, projects and conservation efforts.

In 1989, the North Carolina chapter of the Nature Conservancy purchased the 6,295 acreas containing Panthertown Valley as part of the 70,000 acre Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment and transferred ownership of Panthertown to public hands.

In 2003, U.S. Forest Service began planning for a Panthertown Valley Trail Project consisting of a sustainable trail system for multiple user groups. Local volunteers from various user groups started to come forward with concerns about the future of Panthertown.

In 2005, a local conservation organization, the Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance, began the work of gathering input from stakeholders and establishing a relationship with the U.S. Forest Service to protect Panthertown Valley. The project goal was to create a group of supporters that would provide funds and volunteer efforts that would address the much needed maintenance projects and conservation efforts in Panthertown.

In 2007, Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance hired a coordinator to administer Friends of Panthertown and formalized a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service with a volunteer agreement in an effort to address the unmet needs of Panthertown Valley.

In 2009, the U.S. Forest Service Nantahala District Ranger signed a decision memo concerning the Panthertown Valley Trail Project. A trail system map was released and trail uses were designated for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.

In 2011, Friends of Panthertown was recognized by the IRS as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.

Today, Friends of Panthertown provides funding and volunteers for conservation projects throughout Panthertown Valley.

Recreation:
This 6,295 acre back-country area in the Nantahala National Forest offers visitors a wide variety of places to explore and has become a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, rock climbers, anglers, school groups, summer camps, scout troops, ornithologists, etc.

A network of trails and old logging roads lead to waterfalls, bogs, and spectacular overlooks of the valley and its cliff faces. Be aware that a number of visitors get lost in the area each year because trails are unmarked; therefore, visitors are advised to bring a map and compass.

Due to increased popularity in recent years, the trails and fragile ecosystem has sustained significant damage and many people have gotten lost because trails are not marked. Therefore, the Friends of Panthertown are working with the Forest Service to establish a more sustainable trail system for multiple users by marking trails, designating trails for appropriate recreational uses, developing a trail map, and educating users about appropriate recreational uses and leave-no-trace ethics.

The most rugged gorges in the valley escaped logging and contain some old growth trees and there are many ecologically sensitive areas and rare communities of plants that thrive within the valley. Visitors can lessen their impact by staying on designated trails. Rare ferns, mosses, and liverworts that grow in the wet micro-climates around waterfalls are easily disturbed. For this reason, visitors are encouraged to view the falls from a distance.

Climate:Spring and Fall temperatures typically range from the 40′s-60′s. Summer temperatures range from the 50′s-80′s. Winter temperatures range in the 20′s-40′s.

Maps:
• “Slickrock Expeditions: A Guide’s Guide to Panthertown Valley” can be purchased online at www.slickrockexpeditions.com/map_request.htm and at local retailers.

Click to enlarge.

• Additional information on Panthertown Valley and the surrounding areas in Nantahala National Forest and Pisgah National Forest is available on the North Carolina National Forests website at www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc

There are two trail-heads at Salt Rock & Cold Mountain:

To Salt Rock (west entrance):

Approximately 1.5 miles east of Cashiers on US 64, turn north (left coming from Cashiers, right coming from Sapphire/Lake Toxaway) on Cedar Creek Road (SR 1120). Continue on Cedar Creek Road for 2.2 miles and bear right (northeast) on Breedlove Road (SR 1121). There is a Forest Service sign here that indicates Panthertown Access. Drive 3.3 miles to the end of Breedlove Road until the pavement ends and turns to gravel. Continue ¼ mile on the Forest Service gravel road that leads to the Salt Rock trail-head parking area. Drive very slowly as this road has many dips and pot holes. [Note: Parking is limited along the gravel road, so visitors are advised to park their cars on the pavement just before the gravel road begins and hike in.]

To Cold Mountain (east entrance): 

From US 64, take NC 281 0.7 miles north. Go past the Lake Toxaway fire station (coming from US 64 this will be on your right). Turn left (north) on Cold Mountain Road and continue 6.0 miles. When the road ends (Canaan Land, a private development, will be straight ahead) bear left on a gravel road (there is a Forest Service sign here that indicates Panthertown Access). Then turn right on the first gravel road to reach the trail-head parking area. (If you miss the turn you’ll end up in a residential development.) Parking is very limited along this road.

Remember to always practice Leave No Trace principles when visiting Panthertown Valley.

Leave No Trace Seven Principles:

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare 
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces 
3. Dispose of Waste Properly 
4. Leave What You Find 
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts 
6. Respect Wildlife 
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
 
Reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org

For more information:

Nantahala National Forest
Nantahala Ranger District
90 Sloan Road
Franklin, NC 28734
(828)-524-6441
www.fs.usda.gov

• Stay And Play In The Smokies http://www.stayandplayinthesmokies.com/explore/places-of-interest/panthertown-valley/
• National Forests in North Carolina http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/request.htm
• Blue Ridge Natural Heritage Area Guide http://www.blueridgeheritage.com
• http://www.hikewnc.info/trailheads/nantahala/highlands/panthertown.html
• North Carolina Waterfalls http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/panther1.htm

Contact Information:
Friends of Panthertown, Inc.
P.O. Box 51
Cashiers, NC 28717
Phone: 828-269-HIKE (4453)
Email: friends@panthertown.org
Website: www.panthertown.org

“Protecting and maintaining Panthertown Valley”